Timing valves



R. A. DE VITA TIMING' VALVES Sept. 26, 1967 Filed Dec. 22, 1964 I .CLLICm vu m V0 nm W m w. m% fi w United States Patent 3,343,558 TIMING VALVESRaymond A. De Vita, Winchester, Mass., assignor to United Shoe MachineryCorporation, Flemington, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Dec.22, 1964, Ser. No. 420,271 6 Claims. (Cl. 137-102) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A timing valve having a timing chamber of variable volume anda metering passage leading from the timing chamber to fluid pressureoperated means for actuating the valve.

This invention relates to valves and has for its object the provision ofa novel and improved timing valve which is of relatively simple andinexpensive construction but at the same time is effective anddependable in operation.

With the foregoing object in view, and in accordance with features ofthe invention, the herein illustrated valve, having a body portionprovided with an inlet and an outlet passage and a valve for controllingthe flow of fluid under pressure from the inlet passage to the outletpassage, together with fluid pressure operated means for moving thevalve from a closed position to an open position in which the inletpassage is connected to the outlet passage, is provided with a timingchamber of variable volume which is in communication with the inletpassage through a passage in which there is interposed means formetering the flow of pressure fluid from the inlet passage to saidchamber and with means for varying the volume of the timing chamberthereby to vary the time interval between the admission of fluid underpressure to the inlet passage and movement of the valve to openposition. Preferably, and in accordance with another feature of theinvention, the body portion of the valve is also provided with anexhaust passage and the valve is adapted in its closed position toprevent the flow of pressure fluid from the inlet passage to the outletpassage while connecting the outlet passage to the exhaust passage andin its open position to connect the inlet passage to the outlet passageand to shut off the outlet passage from the exhaust passage. Moreparticularly, and in accordance with still another feature of theinvention, the metering means comprises a plunger provided with ametering orifice of fixed diameter and which is loosely fitted withinthe passage leading from the inlet to the timing chamber and a valveseat is provided at the end of the last mentioned passage adjacent tothe chamber against which the metering plunger is yieldingly held by aspring so that the metering plunger is adapted to restrict the flow ofpressure fluid from the inlet passage to the timing chamber Whilepermitting a relativelyfree flow of pressure fluid from the chamber tothe inlet passage.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear inthe following detailed description of the preferred embodimentillustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views in section of a timing valve embodying thefeatures of this invention, these figures showing the valve in difierentoperating positions.

- The valve construction illustrated in the drawings comprises a bodyformed of four components, namely a lower cap member 10, an intermediateblock 12, a cylindrical chamber forming element 14 and an upper capmember 16, these several components being held together in assembledrelation, as shown, by means of four studs 18, 18

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(only two of which are visible) threaded into the lower cap member 10and passing through the intermediate block 12, outside of the element 14and through the block 16, and clamp nuts 20, 20. Interposed between thelower cap member 10 and the intermediate block 12 is a gasket 21 whileinterposed between the intermediate block 12 and the chamber formingmember 14 is a flexible and elastic diaphragm 22, the latter being heldin place by a centering disc 24 and three clamp screws 26 (only one ofwhich appears in the drawings).

The lower cap member 14 is provided with a central cylindrical recess 30having an enlarged upper portion 32 and leading into this recess is aninlet passage 34, threaded at its outer end to receive a pipe or otherconduit fitting. Formed in the intermediate block 12 is a central bore40 in alignment with the recess 30 in the cap member 10 and having anenlarged upper portion 42. An outlet passage 44 intersects the bore 49,as shown, and this outlet passage has a threaded outer end similar tothat of the inlet 34. Slidable within the bore 4%) is a main valve bodyportion 50 to the lower threaded end of which there is secured, by meansof a nut 52, a valve disc 54 provided on its upper side with a valvefacing 56 adapted to cooperate with a valve seat on the block 12 whichis formed by a shallow circular recess 58, concentric with the bore 4i).At its upper end, the valve body portion 50 carries a piston 60 which isslidable within the enlarged upper portion 42 of the bore 40 and whichis somewhat larger in diameter than the valve disc 54. A transverse'bore 62 through the valve body portion 56 communicates at its oppositeends with axial grooves 64 (one of which is visible). A coil spring 66constantly urges the main valve upwardly toward the position in which itis shown in FIG. 1.

Also extending through the intermediate block 12, and offset radiallyfrom the central bore 40, is a second and parallel bore 70 the lower endof which overlaps, slightly, the enlarged upper portion 32 of the recess30. Loosely fitted within this bore, with an annular clearance spacetherearound, is a metering plunger 72 which is provided with an axiallyextending metering passage 74 of extremely small diameter (i.e., in theorder of .004) and normally held yieldirrgly up against a sealing ring76 by means of a coil spring 78. The centering plate 24 is provided withapertures 80, 82 which are in alignment, respectively, with the bores 40and 70 and the diaphragm 22 is provided with an aperture 83 in line withthe aperture 82. Slidable within the cylindrical chamber forming member14 is a piston-like disc 84, upward movement of which is limited bymeans of an adjusting screw 86, threaded through the upper cap member 16and provided with a knurled locknut 88.

A suitable ring-type sealing member is fitted within an angular groovein the periphery of the piston-like disc.

As suggested above, the herein illustrated valve is a socalled timing ortimer valve and is adapted to connect the inlet passage 34 with theoutlet passage 44 after a pre determined time interval has elapsedfollowing the admission of fluid under pressure (e.g. compressed air) tothe inlet passage. As shown in FIG. 1, prior to such admission of fluidunder pressure to the inlet passage 34, the valve disc 54, with itsfacing 56 held against the valve seat provided by the recess 58, bymeans of the spring 66, cuts off communication between the inlet passage34 and the outlet passage 44 while the latter is connected to exhaustthrough grooves 64, transverse bore 62, enlarged bore 42 and an exhaustpassage 92 formed in the intermediate block 12. Because of frictionbetween the inside of the member 14 and the sealing ring 90 thepiston-like disc may remain in the position in which it is shown, or itmay slowly descend under the action of gravity until it rests 3 on thecentering disc 24. In either case, the operation of the valve is thesame.

As fluid under pressure is admitted to the inlet passage 34, it alsoenters the bore 70 and adds to the force of the spring 78 in holding themetering plunger 72 firmly against the sealing ring 76. Fluid'underpressure also slowly bleeds through the small metering passage 74 and,passing through apertures 82 and 83, enters the timing chamber formed bymember 14 beneath the piston-like disc 84. If this disc had descended,as above suggested, it will now be elevated by the fluid under pressureto the position in which it is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in any eventthe chamber beneath the piston-like disc will eventually be filled withthe pressure fluid after a predetermined time interval has elapsed whichinterval will, of course, be a function of the rate of flow of thepressure fluid through the metering passage 74 and of the volume of thetiming chamber. When this chamber has been filled the pressure of thefluid therein will build up and will act on the piston 60, through theaperture 80 and diaphragm 22, finally overcoming action of the spring 66and fluid pressure acting on the valve disc 54 and the lower end of themain valve body portion 50 and moving the main valve downwardly from theposition shown in FIG. 1. As the valve disc leaves its seat, the upwardforce acting on the main valve is greatly reduced so that it is shiftedquickly down to the position in which it is shown in FIG. 2, therebyconnecting the inlet passage 34 with the outlet passage 44 through thegroove 64 and radial bore 62 in a minner which should be apparent. Atthe same time, communication between the outlet passage 44 and theexhaust passage 92 will be shut off by the piston 60.

As will be readily understood, the effective volume of the timingchamber beneath the piston-like disc 84 can be readily and quiteaccurately varied by means of the adjustable abutment screw 86 which isthen held in adjusted position by the locknut 88. A sealing ring 94beneath the piston 60 prevents leakage of the pressure fluid around themain valve body portion 50. When the device which is actuated by fluidunder pressure supplied from the outlet passage 44, completes itsstroke, pressure of the fluid will equalize on opposite ends of themetering plunger 72 which, however, will still be held in the positionin which it is shown by the spring 78.

When the supply of fluid under pressure to the inlet.

passage 34 is discontinued, and this passage connected to exhaust, thepressure of the fluid in the timing chamber in the member 14 beneath thepiston-like disc 84, will force the metering plunger 72 downwardly, thusconnecting the timing chamber to exhaust through apertures 82, 83, theclearance space around the plunger 72, bore 70, recess 30 and inletpassage 34. The coil spring 66 will then return the main valve to theposition sohwn in FIG. 1 while the metering plunger will be returned toits normal poistion by the coil spring 78.

The novel valve construction which has been described in detail above isvery effective and dependable in operation, especially becaues of thevery accurate and uniform metering action of the fixed diameter orifice74 in the plunger 72 which avoids difliculties frequently encounteredwhen flow of pressure fluid into, or out of, a timing chamber iscontrolled by a so-called needle valve. Moreover, the regulation of thepredetermined time interval of the novel valve by varying the volume ofthe timing chamber can be more readily and accuartely effected than isthe case with a needle valve. In this connection, it will be understoodthat variation in the volume of the timing chamber, by means of theadjusting screw 86, provides a substantially proportional or linearcontrol of the time interval, a result impossible to attain with aneedle valve. Also, the novel timing valve arrangement lends itselfparticularly to the relatively simple and inexpensive constructionherein illustrated, although it will be understood that other specificmechanical embodiments fall within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A timing valve comprising a body portion provided with an inletpassage, an outlet passage and an exhaust passage, a valve forcontrolling the flow of fluid under pressure from said inlet passage tosaid outlet passage and from said outlet passage to said exhaustpassage, means for yieldingly holding said valve in a closed position toprevent flow of pressure fluid from said inlet passage to said outletpassage while connecting said outlet passage to said exhaust passage,fluid pressure operated means for moving said valve to an open positionin which said inlet passage and said outlet passage are in communicationand said outlet passage is shut off from said exhaust passage, meansproviding a timing chamber in communication with said fluid pressureoperated means, means providing a passage leading from said inletpassage to said chamber, and means in said last mentioned passage formetering the flow of fluid under pressure from said inlet passage tosaid chamber, said metering means comprising a plunger provided with ametering orifice and loosely fitted within the'passage between the inletpassage and said chamber, said plunger being adapted to serve as a valvefor restricting the flow of pressure fluid from said inlet passage tosaid chamber through said metering orifice and to permit relatively freeflow of fluid under pressure from said chamber to said inlet passage.

2. A timing valve comprising a body provided with an inlet passage anoutlet passage and an exhaust passage, a valve for controlling the flowof fluid under pressure from said inlet passage to said outlet passageand from said outlet passage to said exhaust passage, means foryieldingly holding said valve in a closed position to prevent flow ofpressure fluid from said inlet passage to said outlet passage whileconnecting said outlet passage to said exhaust passage, fluid pressureoperated means for moving said valve to an open position in which saidinlet passage and said outlet passage are in communication and saidoutlet passage is shut off from said exhaust passage, means providing atiming chamber of Variable volume in communication with said fluidpressure operated means, means providing a passage leading from saidinlet passage to said chamber, means in said last mentioned passage formetering the flow of fluid under pressure from said inlet to saidchamber, said metering means comprising a plunger provided with ametering orifice and loosely fitted within the passage between the inletpassage and said chamber, said plunger being adapted to serve as a valvefor restricting flow of pressure fluid from said inlet passage to saidchamber through said metering orifice while permitting relatively freeflow of fluid under pressure from said chamber to said inlet passage,and means for varying the volume of said chamber thereby to vary thetime interval between admission of fluid under pressure to the inletpassage and the movement of said valve to open position by the fluidpressure operated means.

3. A timing valve comprising a body provided with an inlet passage andan outlet passage, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid underpressure from said inlet passage to said outlet passage, means foryieldingly holding said valve in a closed position to prevent flow ofpressure fluid from said inlet passage to said outlet passage, fluidpressure operated means for moving said valve to an open position inwhich said inlet passage and said outlet passage are in communication,means providing a timing chamber in communication with said fluidpressure operated means, means providing a passage leading from saidinlet passage to said chamber, and means in said last mentioned passagefor metering the flow of fluid under pressure from said inlet to saidchamber, said metering means comprising a plunger provided with ametering orifice and loosely fitted within said last named passage,means for providing a valve seat at the end of said passage adjacent tosaid chamber, a spring yieldingly holding said plunger against saidvalve seat, whereby said plunger is adapted to restrict the flow ofpressure fluid from said inlet passage into said chamber whilepermitting a relatively free flow of pressure fluid from said chamber tosaid inlet passage.

4. A timing valve comprising a body provided with an inlet passage andan outlet passage, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid underpressure from said inlet pas sage to said outlet passage, means foryieldingly holding said valve in a closed position to prevent flow ofpressure fluid from said inlet passage to said outlet passage, fluidpressure operated means for moving said valve to an open position inwhich said inlet passage and said outlet passage are in communication,means providing a timing chamber of variable volume in communicationwith said fluid pressure operated means, means providing a passageleading from said inlet passage to said chamber, means in said lastmentioned passage for metering the flow of fluid under pressure fromsaid inlet passage to said chamber, said metering means comprising aplunger provided with a metering orifice and loosely fitted within saidlast named passage, means providing a valve seat at the end of saidpassage adjacent to said chamber, a spring yieldingly holding saidplunger against said valve seat, whereby said plunger is adapted torestrict the flow of pressure fluid from said inlet passage into saidchamber while permitting a relatively free flow of pressure fluid fromsaid chamber to said inlet passage, and means for varying the volume ofsaid chamber thereby to vary the time interval between admission offluid under pressure to the inlet passage and the movement of said valveto open position by the fluid pressure operated means.

5. A timing valve comprising a body provided with an inlet passage, anoutlet passage and an exhaust passage, a valve for controlling the flowof fluid under pressure from said inlet passage to said outlet passageand from said outlet passage to said exhaust passage, means foryieldingly holding said valve in closed position to prevent flow ofpressure fluid from said inlet passage to said outlet passage whileconnecting said outlet passage to said exhaust passage, fluid pressureoperated means for moving said valve to an open position in which saidinlet passage and said outlet passage are in communication and saidoutlet passage is shut off from said inlet passage, means providing atiming chamber in communication with said fluid pressure operated means,means providing a passage leading from said inlet passage to saidchamber, and means in said last named passage for metering the flow offluid under pressure from said inlet to said chamber, said meteringmeans comprising a plunger provided with a metering orifice and looselyfitted within said last named passage, means providing a valve seat atthe end of said passage adjacent to said chamber, a spring yieldinglyholding said plunger against said seat, whereby said plunger is adaptedto restrict the flow of fluid from said inlet passage into said chamberwhile permitting a relatively free flow of pressure fluid from saidchamber to said inlet passage.

6. A timing valve comprising a body provided with an inlet passage, anoutlet passage and an exhaust passage, a valve for controlling the flowof fluid under pressure from said inlet passage to said outlet passageand from said outlet passage to said exhaust passage, means foryieldingly holding said valve in a closed position to prevent flow ofpressure fluid from said inlet passage to said outlet passage whileconnecting said outlet passage to said exhaust passage, fluid pressureoperated means for moving said valve to an open position in which saidinlet passage and said outlet passage are in communication and saidoutlet passage is shut off from said exhaust passage, means providing atiming chamber of variable volume in communication with said fluidpressure operated means, means providing a passage leading from saidinlet passage to said chamber, means in said passage for metering theflow of fluid under pressure from said inlet passage to said chamber,said metering means comprising a plunger provided with a meteringorifice and loosely fitted within said last named passage, meansproviding a valve seat at the end of said passage adjacent to saidchamber, a spring yieldingly holding said plunger against said seat,whereby said plunger is adapted to restrict the flow of pressure fluidfrom said inlet passage into said chamber while permitting a relativelyfree flow of pressure fluid from said chamber to said inlet passage, andmeans for varying the volume of said chamber thereby to vary the timeinterval between admission of fluid under pressure to the inlet passageand the movement of said valve to open position by the fluid pressureoperated means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,638,108 5/1953 Williams et a1.137102 2,663,153 12/1953 Grant, Jr. 137110 2,716,997 9/1955 Crookston137-102 2,819,865 1/1958 Olson 251-25 3,022,118 2/1962 Dobrikin 137102 X3,269,157 8/1966 Ashley 137102 X M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

E. K. FEIN, R. I. MILLER, Assistant Examiners.

1. A TIMING VALVE COMPRISING A BODY PORTION PROVIDED WITH AN INLETPASSAGE, AN OUTLET PASSAGE AND AN EXHAUST PASSAGE, A VALVE FORCONTROLLING THE FLOW OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE FROM SAID INLET PASSAGE TOSAID OUTLET PASSAGE AND FROM SAID OUTLET PASSAGE TO SAID EXHAUSTPASSAGE, MEANS FOR YIELDINGLY HOLDING SAID VALVE IN A CLOSED POSITION TOPREVENT FLOW OF PRESSURE FLUID FROM SAID INLET PASSAGE TO SAID OUTLETPASSAGE WHILE CONNECTING SAID OUTLET PASSAGE TO SAID EXHAUST PASSAGE,FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS FOR MOVING SAID VALVE TO AN OPEN POSITIONIN WHICH SAID INLET PASSAGE AND SAID OUTLET PASSAGE ARE IN COMMUNICATIONAND SAID OUTLET PASSAGE IS SHUT OFF FROM SAID EXHAUST PASSAGE, MEANSPROVIDING A TIMING CHAMBER IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID FLUID PRESSUREOPERATED MEANS, MEANS PROVIDING A PASSAGE LEADING FROM SAID INLETPASSAGE TO SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS IN SAID LAST MENTIONED PASSAGE FORMETERING THE FLOW OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE FROM SAID INLET PASSAGE TOSAID CHAMBER, SAID METERING MEANS COMPRISING A PLUNGER PROVIDED WITH AMETERING ORIFICE AND LOOSELY FITTED WITHIN THE PASSAGE BETWEEN THE INLETPASSAGE AND SAID CHAMBER, SAID PLUNGER BEING ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A VALVEFOR RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF PRESSURE FLUID FROM SAID INLET PASSAGE TOSAID CHAMBER THROUGH SAID METERING ORIFICE AND TO PERMIT RELATIVELY FREEFLOW OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE FROM SAID CHAMBER TO SAID INLET PASSAGE.